In a strange twist of fate, J.D. Vance, the U.S. senator from Ohio, has just been sworn in as the Vice President of the United States following a historic election victory. His ascent to the second-highest office in the country marks a significant milestone in his political career, but it has also brought a peculiar incident from the campaign trail back into the spotlight—one involving none other than Primanti Bros., the iconic Pittsburgh-based sandwich chain.

The incident occurred in 2024, shortly before the U.S. presidential elections, during a campaign stop in North Versailles, Pennsylvania. At the time, Vance was running for re-election to the Senate, while also campaigning in support of his political ally, former President Donald Trump. The visit to Primanti Bros. was meant to be a casual, informal stop for the senator to engage with his supporters over a hearty sandwich. However, what should have been a simple lunch break quickly escalated into a media frenzy.

Vance’s campaign had not informed the staff at the North Versailles location about the senator’s planned visit, and the restaurant was caught off guard by the large crowd of Trump supporters that showed up to greet him. Around 100 people gathered, eagerly waiting to see the senator. When the manager saw the crowd, they became uneasy about handling the situation. At first, the manager told the crowd that Vance wouldn’t be stopping by. But when the senator arrived, a dramatic turn of events occurred: the manager allegedly told Vance that he was not welcome inside and even threatened to call the police if he attempted to enter.

This led to a tense standoff outside the restaurant, with Vance and his team standing on the sidewalk while the campaign supporters gathered around. Vance chose to remain composed, while one of his staff members worked to de-escalate the situation with the manager. Many of the supporters, feeling frustrated by the rejection, followed the senator outside, where they took pictures and continued to show their support. It wasn’t until after some negotiation that Vance and his team were finally allowed to enter, but by then, the damage had already been done. The entire incident had drawn significant media attention.

The situation quickly became a point of contention for Vance’s supporters, who felt that the restaurant had mishandled the visit, denying the senator a warm welcome. On the other hand, Primanti Bros. tried to downplay the incident, later releasing a statement explaining that it was an unfortunate mix-up. They attributed the confusion to the unexpected nature of the visit and the fact that their staff hadn’t been prepared for such a large crowd. The restaurant’s management assured the public that Vance and his team had been welcomed inside shortly after the misunderstanding.

However, despite the restaurant’s attempt to smooth things over, many of Vance’s supporters, including GOP Chair Sean Logue, were dissatisfied with how the incident had been handled. Logue noted that, although Vance did eventually enter the restaurant, pay for everyone’s meal, and attempt to make amends, Primanti Bros. had never issued an official apology to the senator. The lack of formal acknowledgment left a bitter taste for many, and the incident became a part of the larger narrative surrounding the 2024 election campaign.

Fast forward to 2025, and J.D. Vance has just been inaugurated as Vice President of the United States. In light of his new position, Primanti Bros. has taken the opportunity to publicly apologize for their actions during that fateful 2024 campaign stop. In a heartfelt letter addressed to Vice President Vance, the CEO of Primanti Bros. expressed regret over the incident and extended a formal apology for the way the situation had been handled.

The letter, which was sent shortly after Vance’s inauguration, reads: “Dear Vice President Vance, on behalf of the entire team at Primanti Bros., we would like to offer our sincerest apologies for the unfortunate events that occurred during your 2024 campaign stop at our North Versailles location. We deeply regret that the situation was mishandled and that you were not treated with the respect and hospitality that we strive to offer all of our guests.”

It continued, “We understand that the incident was frustrating for you and your supporters, and we take full responsibility for the confusion that led to the misunderstanding. Please accept our heartfelt apologies for any inconvenience or discomfort this may have caused. As a token of our appreciation and respect, we would like to offer you a lifetime supply of our signature sandwiches should you ever find yourself in the Pittsburgh area.”

Vance, now in his new role as Vice President, responded graciously to the apology. In a brief statement, he acknowledged the letter and expressed his appreciation for the restaurant’s gesture. “It’s all in the past,” Vance said. “I’m grateful for the apology, and I appreciate that Primanti Bros. took the time to address the situation. It’s important for all of us to move forward, and I’m happy to put this behind us.”

While some have seen the apology as an unnecessary act of reconciliation, others have commended Primanti Bros. for their willingness to acknowledge their mistake and take responsibility. The episode, though minor in the grand scheme of things, serves as a reminder of the sometimes unpredictable intersections between politics and everyday life.

As J.D. Vance settles into his role as Vice President, the once-contentious campaign stop at Primanti Bros. has become little more than a footnote in his rise to national prominence. And while the restaurant may have faced some criticism at the time, their decision to extend an apology to the newly inaugurated Vice President is a reflection of their desire to move past the past and focus on the future—one sandwich at a time.